Boxing News

Where Are They Now? Earnie Shavers

By Shawn M Murphy August 5th, 2008 All Boxing Interviews

Recently, I spoke with former heavyweight contender Earnie Shavers. Shavers, dubbed "The Acorn" by Muhammad Ali, had an incredible sixty eight KO's in seventy four wins during his career.

He is often regarded as one of the hardest punchers in boxing history. He would fight twice for the heavyweight title, losing to Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes. Shavers beat such notables as Jimmy Young, Jimmy Ellis and Ken Norton during his career. Shavers retired in 1995 with a record of 74-14-1.

Shawn Murphy: Earnie, you got a late start in boxing didn't you?

Earnie Shavers: Yes, I was about twenty-two when I started. You know, I'm glad I did because all the guys who started very early on lost interest after a few years. At twenty-two, it was all new to me. I had a family, I was mature and I did what I had to do.

SM: How did you first get started in boxing?

ES: A good friend of mine, Vincent Austin, kept bugging me to go with him to the gym. After he bugged me long enough, I agreed. When I walked in the gym the trainer looked and me and said "Oh boy, we gotta heavyweight here. You could become a champ and make a lot of money". That got my attention. So on that same day I started boxing.

I fought a guy who would be a champion the following year. He out boxed me, but every now and then, I would land some good right hands and he would go flying across the ring. The guy told me I was gonna hurt somebody with that right hand. I went home and talked to my wife because I already had a good job at General Motors. She had a fit. I begged for a whole week until she said yes. More...

Where Are They Now? Eddie Mustafa Muhammad

By Shawn M Murphy July 10th, 2008 All Boxing Interviews

Recently, I spoke with former WBA Light Heavyweight Champ, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. Born Eddie Gregory, Muhammad won two New York Golden Gloves Championships as an amateur. Known as "Flame", Muhammad would win the light heavyweight title against Marvin Johnson in 1980 by TKO. He defended twice before losing to Michael Spinks in 1981. He would retire in 1988 with a 50-8-1 record.

Shawn Murphy: Eddie, can you tell me the highlights of your amateur career?

Eddie Mustafa Muhammad: One of the highlights was being an alternate on the 1972 Olympic team. I also won the Golden Gloves titles in 1971 and 1972. I beat Vito Antuofermo in 1971 and Patrick Maloney in 1972.

SM: Where did you get the nickname the "Flame"?

EM: My first manager had a restaurant called The Flame. He said your hands are fast and thatʼs the way we cook the steaks, so we'll call you "Flame".

SM: What about your first title shot against Victor Galindez in 1977? Do you think you actually won that fight?

EM: You know what, everyone said I won that fight, even the announcers. But I was in his territory, so going in I knew it would be rough. Don't get me wrong, Victor Galindez was a very credible champion and it was an honor to fight a guy like that. It was a real good fight, but I thought I beat him. More...

Where Are They Now?: Vito Antuofermo

By Shawn M Murphy June 18th, 2008 All Boxing Interviews

Recently it was my great pleasure to speak with former World Middleweight Champion Vito Antuofermo. Antuofermo was born in Italy, later moving to the United States. Antuofermo was a New York Golden Gloves Champion as an amateur, and won the World Middleweight Championship in 1979 over Hugo Corro.

After a defense over Marvin Hagler in a controversial draw, Antuofermo lost the title to Alan Minter by split decision. Antuofermo, known for a tendency to bleed, would also lose rematches later to Hagler and Minter via TKOʼs.

Well known fighters he would beat included Emile Griffith, Bennie Briscoe, Denny Moyer, Willie Classen and Eckhard Dagge. After a loss in 1985 to Matthew Hilton, Antuofermo retired with a record of 50-7-2.

Shawn Murphy: Mr. Antuofermo, how did you get your start in boxing, was it in Italy or the US?

Vito Antuofermo: I started as an amateur in America at age 17. I had a very good amateur career. I won the Golden Gloves title in 1970. In 1971 I was defeated in the finals by a guy named Eddie Gregory [later known as Eddie Mustafa Muhammad]. Eddie was a future light heavyweight champ and a big puncher. I did beat him the year before that loss.

SM: I have read in a previous interview that winning the Golden Gloves title was as proud a moment as when you won the middleweight title?

VA: Yes, Shawn I still believe that. It was a real honor to win the Golden Gloves. My son wanted the Golden Gloves title real bad too. He was a very good boxer but also was a very good student. He won his first three fights. In his last fight he didnʼt get the decision. I thought it was a bad decision. The guy that beat him ended up winning the title. I was very proud of him. I wouldnʼt want him to go pro, though. More...

Where Are They Now? John Conteh

By Shawn M Murphy June 3rd, 2008 All Boxing Interviews

Recently, I spoke with former World Light-Heavyweight Champion John Conteh. As an amateur, Conteh was a Middleweight and Light-Heavyweight National Champion. As a pro, he won the vacant Light-Heavyweight title against Argentinaʼs Jorge Ahumada in 1974.

After three defenses, he was stripped of that title for failing to defend against Miguel Cuello. Conteh would fail in future title opportunities to Mate Parlov and twice against Matthew Saad Muhammad. He is considered one of Britainʼs most successful boxers. He retired in 1980 with a record of 34-4-1.

Shawn Murphy: At what age did you first start boxing?

John Conteh: I started around eleven years of age. My dad was teaching me boxing. He wasnʼt a boxer but he taught me. I had a good amateur career, won a few amateur titles. I really committed myself around eighteen years of age. I had probably fifty or so amateur fights.

SM: Do you remember anything special about your first pro fight?

JC: Yeah, it was in Liverpool. I knocked out Okacha Boubekeur in one round. George Francis was my manager and Jack Sullivan was my promoter. I had about three fights with Jack and then signed with a bigger syndicate.

SM: After you beat Terry Daniels in 1973, you were considered a heavyweight prospect. Any serious thoughts about fighting as a straight up heavyweight at that time?

JC: I just left that in the hands of my manager. They were picking heavyweight fights for me, but I really didnʼt think I was that big. I was about 13 stones at the time, just a 1/2 stone over the light-heavyweight limit. More...

Where Are They Now? Bob Foster

By Shawn M Murphy April 16th, 2008 All Boxing Interviews

Recently I had the great pleasure to speak to former Light Heavyweight Champion Bob Foster. Without question, he was one of the greatest light heavyweights of all time, and there are those that say he may in fact be the greatest.

Foster had limited success as a heavyweight, but he owned the light heavyweight division. He beat Dick Tiger in 1968 for the world title. He was stripped by the WBA of his title in 1971, but kept on defending his WBC portion. In 1972 Foster unified the title, beating Vincente Rondon by a second round KO.

Throughout his career he would defend his title fourteen times. He would fight twice for the heavyweight title, losing to Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali. Foster retired in 1974, but came back in 1975 and fought seven more times, winning five. He retired for good in 1978 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.

Shawn Murphy: Mr. Foster, the light heavyweight division has been filled with many great fighters over the years-Archie Moore, Ezzard Charles, Gene Tunney and Billy Conn. Point blank, are you the greatest of them all?

Bob Foster: "Yes!"

SM: Letʼs go back to the beginning. How did you get your start in boxing?

BF: "I started boxing at the age of thirteen in the Golden Gloves in Albuquerque. Joe Louis Murphy was the main trainer of the kids in the gym. Joe Louis Murphy left to go into the Air Force, and then I went into there as well. In the Air Force I just continued to box." More...